Meet the adventurers who shared their story

Emily and Ian are the duo behind TMBTENT, a blog dedicated to helping hikers plan unforgettable treks around the world. From their home in Boulder, Colorado, they share detailed guides, gear advice, and firsthand insights from trails across Europe and beyond. They have hiked the Peaks of the Balkans trail and shared their experiences in their blog. Their mission: make self-guided adventure simple, inspiring, and accessible to all.

Cam hiked the Peaks of the Balkans in 2023 and shared his experiences in his detailed and personal guide. His vast experience from hikes around the world gives him a unique perspective on the qualities of the Peaks of the Balkans trail. In his book Wanderlust Mediterranean he deep dives on this Peaks of the Balkans experiences and conveys the beauty of the Balkan mountain ranges with stunning photography.

Nicole Smoot is a daring Alaska-born traveler with an appetite for remote mountain passes and wild terrain, who began blogging her expeditions in 2015. She recently immersed herself in the epic journey of the Peaks of the Balkans Trail - a rugged circuit through Albania, Kosovo & Montenegro showcasing her knack for solo trekking, deep cultural encounters, and storytelling rooted in authenticity. Her work on her blog inspires others to seek the world's hidden corners with curiosity and courage.

Tanel is an adventurous spirit whose passion for nature fuels his storytelling on From Sunrise to Sunset. He hiked the full Peaks of the Balkans trail, wild-camping and crossing remote terrain, driven by curiosity and a love of challenge. His travels continue to shape the inspiring stories he shares, and he’s always seeking the next horizon to explore.

Janko is a passionate outdoor enthusiast who turned his life around when he realised that being outside isn’t boring - it’s everything. He gravitates toward hikes that are genuinely enjoyable and accessible rather than simply extreme. On his blog he recounts epic journeys including tackling the Peaks of the Balkans trail, where sun-drenched ridges, cultural encounters and raw mountain beauty merged into one unforgettable adventure.

Pashmina Binwani - the voice behind The Gone Goat - transformed her life by quitting her job and embracing the wild, high-altitude world of outdoor storytelling. Born in Kuala Lumpur, she swapped corporate routine for solo hikes, bike tours, and stories beyond tourist trails. Inspired by the “goat” in pashmina, she’s hiked the rugged Peaks of the Balkans and channels that border-crossing spirit into every tale she tells.

The travel blog Uncornered Market, founded by husband-and-wife team Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott, promotes responsible, community-based travel through storytelling, photography, and consulting. Their adventures — from the Camino de Santiago to hiking the Peaks of the Balkans — inspire meaningful connections and help destinations grow sustainably worldwide.

Meet Anna Heimkreiter: a self-portrait artist, illustrator and nomadic wanderer who has chosen to live deeply - in her bright red van “Alois” alongside her stray cat Georgia. Anna's art is rooted in wild nature, slow travel and the stories of becoming oneself. She recently hiked the Peaks of the Balkans trail, embracing discomfort, awe and the unfamiliar, weaving that journey into her creative life and presentation of story-rich adventures. Discover her works on WhereWonderWaits.com.